Good morning. Welcome back to Survival Guide. It’s Isabella here. 

Hope you are all looking after yourselves as it gets colder and darker. Just a reminder that there is help out there if you need it as bills rise over the winter period – you can find lots of resources in our guide here.

Read on to meet Molly, a young woman who became estranged from her family and battled to survive when prices skyrocketed. We also chat to rapper and TV chef Big Zuu who is fighting food poverty with his joyous personality.

And get to the end for our big list of where kids can eat for free and cheap over the half term...

If you have a story to share, we want to listen. Get in touch at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com or share your story here.

Molly's story: 'I was scared'

The cost of living crisis has plunged young people across the country into difficult times – but for Molly Taylor, who had no family to turn to for financial help, it became desperate.

“I was so scared that if anything went wrong I would have no money in my savings at all,” the 23-year-old says. “Most students have a family member or someone to help with the cost of living. 

“I didn’t have that. I had to be very meticulous about my spending and think so far into the future but, when you are depressed, you don’t have that future thinking. It is very difficult to think about the next day you are going to live.”

Molly became estranged from her parents aged 18 and left behind a traumatic childhood. At university, the emotional and financial turmoil became too much and she had a mental health crisis. 

Youth workers saved her life, ringing her up each day to check in. Molly believes that every young person should have access to a youth worker. 

“I have a lot of empathy for everyone around me that faces similar things and also a strong sense of social justice,” Molly says. “I would tell my younger self I didn’t go through these barriers for nothing, so keep campaigning and keep using your voice and lived experience to shape change in the future for other young people.”

Read Molly’s story here. 

In case you missed it

Food banks brace for ‘worst winter yet’. The UK’s largest network of food banks, the Trussell Trust, warns that record numbers of people will need help this winter. Here’s the story.

Inflation remains at 6.7%. So will prices ever go down? Find out here.

Adults forced to move back in with parents. Soaring rents mean people are increasingly having to move back home. Read about it.

Disabled people are twice as likely to face debt in the cost of living crisis. Charity Scope warns that the “system is broken” and calls for change. Get the story.

People miss out on live music in the cost of living crisis – and all the mental health benefits that come with it. Here’s the story. 

Bill to end no-fault evictions finally gets second reading. MPs will finally debate the long-delayed Renters Reform Bill next week, according to reports, despite fears the legislation had been scrapped. Get the latest.

This man quit work to care for his mum. Big Issue Recruit helped him find his sense of purpose again. Read the story. 

Like what you're reading? Let people know by going to our sign-up article and sharing it on your social networks! You can also sign up to our 'Working on It' newsletter, about making work better.

Big Zuu is fighting food poverty with happiness

Big Zuu, the rapper and TV chef, is known for his infectious personality and obsession with food. He spoke to The Big Issue about his family's struggles to afford food when he was growing up, his passion for giving back and how happiness can lead to change. 

Big Zuu’s new campaign with belVita (known for their breakfast biscuits) seemed the perfect fit. It is all about fighting food poverty with joy. 

He was tasked with making as many strangers smile as possible by leading a group known as the Smile Society through Camden. Their tactics? Impromptu rap verses, compliments and renditions of people-pleasing bops. After the campaign is over, belVita will donate up to 100,000 meals to people in need.

“We as a society, we are the power,” Big Zuu says. “Sometimes we look at the people in power and think about what they do in society, but if we just took a little bit of time out of our busy lives to give back, I feel like we will see change. I feel like the more people can try and volunteer their time or give back in any form, the better the world we’ll see.”

Meet Big Zuu and find out how to get involved with the campaign.

Are you doing positive work to tackle poverty in the cost of living crisis? Do you know someone who should be celebrated? Let me know at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com 

Saving those coins 

That time again? It’s half term next week (and the October holiday in Scotland as we speak) and kids are off school needing entertainment and food. That comes at a price, but luckily there are lots of restaurants and cafes where children’s meals are heavily discounted. Get all the places where kids can eat for free or for £1 here.